Matt & Alexander talk to Town

Jamille Matt has said he is “very happy” to have joined Fleetwood Town

By Tom Bestwick

Jamille Matt has said he is “very happy” to have joined Fleetwood Town, and says he will be looking to continue his impressive goal scoring record, starting this Saturday against Bristol Rovers.

Following a medical, Town will complete a deal for the 22-year-old striker from Blue Square Bet Premier side Kidderminster Harriers. A signing that for the club will represent a club record fee.
“Im very happy to be here.” Matt said.
“It was a big draw to be coming to a club in the league, to come up to a club that showed they really wanted me, so I am very happy to be here.
“After I spoke to Graham yesterday, it was one of those where his ambition, drive and his enthusiasm sold it to me really. I think he is similar to me; he is looking to drive on and push onwards and upwards, hopefully I can do the same because that’s that kind of thing I am looking do as well, and hopefully we can be a partnership. Hopefully we can move forward.”
The Caribbean-born forward has only recently returned to action in November after issues with his paper work arose in February, but he has netted seven goals in his last six games, including a hat trick against Newport County last month. He was also named Blue Square Bet Premier player of the month for December.
“I have done well recently since I have been back playing; I hope I can carry on doing the same thing here in a Fleetwood shirt.
“Since I have been back, I have scored quite a lot of goals, a lot more than what I expected, I am looking to kick on and try and carry on doing the same thing here.”
Matt is no stranger to Highbury. The striker scored a consolation goal as Town beat Kidderminster 5-2 last season, but the only results he says he is focused on now is Fleetwood’s.
“I played here last season in a 5-2 defeat, but as long as Fleetwood are winning I think I will be happy from now on. I am looking forward to the challenge, looking forward to the opportunity, and hopefully I can do well in the Fleetwood shirt.”
Town’s new number 10 won’t have any time to get settled at his new club, as he is expected to be in the squad for this Saturday’s visit of Bristol Rovers.
“I will definitely be looking to start the game, and hopefully carry on the same form that I had when I left Kidderminster.”
Graham Alexander expressed his delight at signing Jamille Matt, and after beating a number of other teams to his signature he says the forward will go from strength to strength while he is a Fleetwood player.
Alexander said: “He’s a someone our scouts have been watching for a while, even though he has had a period of not playing due to a passport problem, but he’s come back from that problem and hes been firing in goals. He’s had a lot of clubs watching him, and a lot of clubs interested in him, but he has chose us above a few very good other teams.
“I think he was impressed by the tenacity that we showed in trying to get him here, and I think he has going add some great ability to the squad that we already have, he gives another option up front, and I’m sure his career will go from strength to strength with us.”
Alexander has insisted he is using this transfer window to add different qualities to what he already has at his disposal. After speaking highly of Matt’s hunger for the game, he said it would add more competitiveness to his frontline.
“I have spoken about adding different qualities to the ones we already have, and Jamille gives us that. You can see by that stature of him that he has that physical strength to compete with everyone, but he is also decent with the ball and can score goals.
“We have to make sure as a team we provide him with the service that he requires including the other strikers that we have, and we as staff need to give him the coach and the base that he can improve in his career because he is still such a young lad.
“He’s desperate to improve his own personal career, and help the team as well, he adds a bit of hunger to the team because he has obviously established himself as a young professional, they’re players that always add quality and personality to your squad.
“He is one we have had great reports from our scouts who have been watching him. We have seen bits and pieces of him ourselves; it’s one of those where we are going to give him the platform that he needs to go to the next level.
“He has done his job in the Conference, now this is another step up, like many of the lads we already have they have stepped up, this is the chance for Jamille to do that, its another addition to what we are chasing, and that is a competitive squad. He’s going to go in with some good strikers that we have got at this club already, and now that’s up to them who is going to push themselves forward to who gets the shirt.”
Town chairman Andy Pilley added “Jamille’s transfer represents a very significant investment for the football club. The deal is considerably more than any other previous arrangement to bring any other player to Fleetwood Town.”